Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
This afternoon you'll meet your Travel Director for a city sights tour through Auckland. The route takes you through historic Parnell, then to Auckland Museum and the Domain park area. After that you'll check out Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Harbour before heading to dinner with drinks to begin your New Zealand adventure.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with drinks)
Included Activities
- City sights tour of Auckland including historic Parnell
- Auckland Museum and Domain visit
- Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Harbour tour
- Dinner with drinks
Landmarks/POIs Auckland Museum Wynyard Quarter Viaduct Harbour - Day 2
Auckland to Rotorua
You're heading to Rotorua today, where geysers bubble and steam rises from cracks in the earth. There you can choose to relax at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, take an amphibious vehicle tour of the lakes, or zipline through ancient forest. This evening you'll see Māori culture come alive at Te Puia with a cultural performance and views of the Pohutu Geyser, then enjoy a buffet dinner featuring hāngī-inspired cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Buffet dinner of locally sourced hāngī-inspired cuisine)
Included Activities
- Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia - cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house
- Pohutu Geyser viewing
- Buffet dinner of locally sourced hāngī-inspired cuisine
Optional Activities
- Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa visit (own expense)
- Amphibious vehicle tour of surrounding lakes (own expense)
- Zipline through ancient forest - low impact zipline (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Te Puia Pohutu Geyser - Day 3
Rotorua to Napier
You'll walk through Whirinaki Forest with Māori guides from the Ngāti Manawa people who share tribal stories and local history. The trails take you past pristine native rainforest and 1,000-year-old Totara trees while you learn about natural medicine plants and listen for native birds. You'll have a packed picnic lunch with traditional cuisine, time for forest bathing, and hot kawakawa tea. Later you head to Napier, which is known as the Art Deco capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed picnic lunch infused with traditional cuisine)
Included Activities
- Whirinaki Forest intimate guided experience with local Māori guides
- Pristine native rainforest trails
- 1,000-year-old Totara tree viewing
- Learning about Rakau Rongoa (Natural Medicine Plants)
- Native and endangered bird viewing in natural habitat
- Packed picnic lunch infused with traditional cuisine - Forest to Fork experience
- Forest bathing (whakatauki) and hot kawakawa tea
Landmarks/POIs Whirinaki Forest - Day 4
Napier
A local expert guide from the Art Deco Trust leads your private walking tour through Napier's Art Deco quarter. The guide shares stories about the people and events that shaped these iconic buildings after the devastating 1931 earthquake. Later you can choose between a wine tour of Hawkes Bay wineries or a tour of the Gannet Colony, which is the world's largest nesting colony of its type.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private walking tour of Art Deco quarter with Art Deco Trust expert guide
Optional Activities
- Wine tour of Hawkes Bay wineries (own expense)
- Tour of local Gannet Colony - world's largest nesting colony of its type (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Napier Art Deco Quarter - Day 5
Napier to Masterton
You're traveling south through the Wairarapa wine region and International Dark Sky Reserve today. First stop is the iconic Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka, brewing beer since 1889 and featuring a museum, bar, and restaurant. You'll then continue to Masterton for your overnight stay. Later you visit boutique winery Urlar where hosts Tess and Brian share the vineyard's story and offer wine tasting, followed by country fare with a seasonal platter overlooking the lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Country fare with seasonal platter overlooking the lake at the vineyard)
Included Activities
- Visit to iconic Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka - museum, bar, and restaurant
- Wine tasting and sharing platter at boutique Wairarapa Vineyard Urlar with hosts Tess and Brian
Landmarks/POIs Tui Brewery Urlar Vineyard - Day 6
Masterton to Wellington
At Greytown Honey you'll meet Karly, a fifth-generation beekeeper, and take a factory tour to watch honey production demonstrations from hive to jar. You'll participate in tasting award-winning honey and take home your own jar. After exploring Greytown's Victorian architecture and boutique stores and cafes, you head to Wellington. An orientation tour includes the peak of Mount Victoria for 360-degree views of the harbour and city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Greytown Honey processing factory tour and demonstration
- Honey tasting session of award-winning honey
- Produce your own jar of honey to take home
- Visit Greytown with well-preserved Victorian architecture and boutique stores and cafes
- Mount Victoria orientation tour with 360-degree views of harbour and city
Landmarks/POIs Greytown Honey Mount Victoria - Day 7
Wellington to Blenheim
You're cruising the Cook Strait from the North Island to the South, sailing through Queen Charlotte Sound into a maze of arms and inlets. The picturesque town of Blenheim awaits, known as one of New Zealand's sunniest towns and famous for Sauvignon Blanc, sun-soaked vineyards, and aviation heritage. This afternoon you visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre to see an extraordinary collection of World War I and II aircraft and memorabilia.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cook Strait cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound from North Island to South Island
- Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre visit - World War I and II aircraft and memorabilia collection
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Sound Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - Day 8
Blenheim
Today you explore Marlborough at your own pace. You can choose between a wine tour of local vineyards to discover why Blenheim is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, or hop aboard the iconic Mail Boat cruise that delivers mail and supplies to local residents in Queen Charlotte Sound, offering scenic views, wildlife encounters, and insightful commentary.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wine tour of local vineyards (own expense)
- Iconic Mail Boat cruise in Queen Charlotte Sound delivering mail and supplies - includes scenic views, wildlife encounters, and insightful commentary (own expense)
- Day 9
Blenheim to Kaikoura
You're heading to Kaikoura, a dramatic beach destination and the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Watch for sea lions or sperm whales in the water offshore. Your Travel Director will have tips on essential restaurants for dining tonight in Kaikoura.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura Beach - Day 10
Kaikoura to Lake Tekapo
After exploring Christchurch's city sights, you journey to the bright blue waters of Lake Tekapo and visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935. You're then welcomed to the home of Angie and Stan Taylor for afternoon tea. Angie, a baker and the Pavlova Queen, will demonstrate the trans-Tasman pavlova controversy while Stan shares tales of farming in the area. Your day concludes at the charming Lake Ohau Lodge with family-style dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Family-style dinner)
Included Activities
- Christchurch city sights exploration
- Church of the Good Shepherd visit at Lake Tekapo
- Afternoon tea at Angie and Stan Taylor's home
- Pavlova Queen Angie's demonstration and explanation of trans-Tasman pavlova controversy
- Family-style dinner at Lake Ohau Lodge
Landmarks/POIs Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo - Day 11
Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
You're traveling through Lindis Pass to Cromwell, stopping at the Jones Family fruit stall for fresh produce and then exploring Highlands Museum, which has a great collection for car enthusiasts. The journey continues to Arrowtown, a charming village with gold rush heritage, before you reach scenic Queenstown. Lunch is at your leisure at Fergburger, famous for its gourmet burgers and vibrant atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at world-famous Fergburger)
Included Activities
- Jones Family fruit stall visit in Cromwell
- Highlands Motorsport Park Museum visit
- Arrowtown village exploration with gold rush heritage
- Lunch at Fergburger
Landmarks/POIs Lindis Pass Cromwell Highlands Motorsport Park Museum Arrowtown - Day 12
Queenstown
Today is yours to spend as you like in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. If you prefer fast-paced activities, try a high-octane jet boat ride. If you're more into nature, check out a wildlife centre to discover New Zealand's feathered friends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride (own expense)
- Wildlife centre visit to discover New Zealand's feathered friends (own expense)
- Day 13
Queenstown to Milford Sound
You start by journeying along the Devil's Staircase with dramatic landscapes leading to Te Anau. From there you drive through the World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park, spotting glaciers and mountain ranges before reaching Mirror Lake. After driving through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel, you board the iconic Milford Mariner for the night. The relaxed cruise allows you to view spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains, and diverse wildlife while exploring the shoreline by kayak or tender. Dinner includes hors d'oeuvres and a three-course buffet with cooked breakfast in the morning.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hors d'oeuvres followed by three-course buffet meal), Breakfast (Delicious cooked breakfast)
Included Activities
- Journey along Devil's Staircase
- Te Anau town visit
- Fiordland National Park scenic drive with glacier and mountain range sightings
- Mirror Lake viewing
- Homer Tunnel drive
- Milford Sound/Piopiotahi cruise overnight on Milford Mariner
- Kayak or tender boat exploration of Milford Sound shoreline
- Specialist nature guide commentary aboard Milford Mariner
- Spacious viewing decks, dining saloon with fully licensed bar, and observation lounge access
- Hors d'oeuvres and three-course buffet meal
- Cooked breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Devil's Staircase Te Anau Fiordland National Park Mirror Lake Homer Tunnel Milford Sound/Piopiotahi - Day 14
Milford Sound to Wānaka
You depart Fiordland National Park and journey to Wānaka, a picturesque country town nestled in the Southern Alps on the shores of Lake Wānaka. The town offers a great blend of natural surroundings and leisurely activities. Your hotel sits in the heart of the village, just a short walk from the lakefront and surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wānaka - Day 15
Wānaka to Fox Glacier
Your scenic drive from Wānaka passes the pristine waters of Lake Hawea and Makarora, a hikers' hub surrounded by vast alpine scenery and river valleys of lush temperate rainforest. You continue over the Haast Pass to Fox Glacier. An optional scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier is available if weather cooperates, and you may even get a glacier landing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere with possible glacier landing if weather permits (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Hawea Makarora Haast Pass Fox Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere - Day 16
Fox Glacier to Christchurch
Before you depart this morning, an optional scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier is available if weather cooperates. The drive north winds past lush rainforests and rugged coastlines to Hokitika, famous for its greenstone and laid-back vibe. The road then heads inland through the Southern Alps toward Arthur's Pass, where rainforest gives way to soaring peaks, rocky gorges, and tussock plains. Watch for cheeky kea, the world's only alpine parrot. Once over the pass, the landscape softens as you roll toward Christchurch. Tonight you'll have dinner with your Travel Director, a fitting end to your New Zealand adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with Travel Director)
Included Activities
- Drive through lush rainforests and rugged coastlines to Hokitika
- Arthur's Pass scenic drive through Southern Alps
- Dinner with Travel Director
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere with possible glacier landing if weather permits (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Arthur's Pass - Day 17
Christchurch Departure
It's time to say farewell and head home. You'll sort through snapshots from an unforgettable two weeks of immersion in untamed nature and cultural experiences, carrying home the best souvenirs which are the lasting memories from this journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
